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I was familiar with the My Little Pony franchise back when it first came out in 1986. Of course, by then, I was a Junior in High School and, as such, never watched the series that often because I had been told it was for much younger children.

So, when the series was revamped in 2010, and seemed to be very popular, I avoided it because I didn’t want to be seen as liking something purely for the fact that it was popular. That is, until recently.

The series is undergoing further changes. The Mane 6 (as they’re called) are being moved to a more Earth standard world where magic is much more scarce. Some of the music has been updated and is much more modern and fun. Why am I interested? My daughter, of course. She shared a clip from this show that featured a hitherto unnamed girl that some fans call DJ Pon-3 walking down the street to some really catchy dubstep music.

I had a lot of laundry to do and so, needing to watch something I wouldn’t so much mind if Boy repeated it, I began watching episodes of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

Now, before you get yourself in a tizzy saying that Cimmorene is a sell-out, let me explain how that led me to writing this article.

Where the original My Little Pony franchise was conceived of mainly to sell the toys developed by Bonnie Zacherle, this one actually seems to have a moral direction and a definite story line. What I like best is the fact that the values the series is teachintg kids about is Friendship. What’s more, the series teaches that friendship is usually made up of six powerful traits: Honesty, Generosity, Laughter, Kindness, Loyalty and Magic. Each trait is represented by a pony. Let’s go over them together.

Honesty, represented by the down-to-earth Applejack, is an important trait in any true friendship. Friendships that aren’t based on honesty usually don’t last very long, because, when the dishonesty is eventually uncovered, the friendship falls apart due to a lack of trust. Honesty is also a good thing to have if you’re looking to make a friend. People are attracted to a person’s genuineness. If you’re not afraid to be who you are, you’ll attract the kinds of friends you most need.

Representing the trait of generosity, we have the lovely and fashion-conscious Rarity. A friendship based on generosity is one that deepens over time. A friendship in which one or more friends are selfish tends to be weak and lack-luster. As with the previous trait, a great way to gain new friends is by being generous with your resources, time and talents. Although you may attract people who are eager to take you for granted, you’ll be able to tell these people apart from your true friends when you see how generous they are in return.

Fun-loving Pinkie Pie represents the trait of laughter. Though it’s true that friendship involves a certain amount of work, my understanding is that friendship is supposed to be joyful and fun. It’s the human tendency to avoid things that aren’t fun. So, as with the above, find a way to have fun with those you call friends.

The next trait is kindness, represented by the quiet and bashful Fluttershy. To me, being kind means being there when your friends need you most. It also means being there for people who aren’t your friends. It means thinking about every word and action that trips lightly from your brain. Want to make an instant friend? Try this: be kind to someone you don’t like. See if that doesn’t change that person’s outlook.

Loyalty is represented by the tomboyish and energetic Rainbow Dash. Being loyal means keeping your friend’s secrets and being there for them when you say you will. Being loyal means being dependable. It means that nobody has to wonder if you’re going to drop them if something more interesting comes along or if someone pays you more. Friendships always become deeper when your friends learn that you are loyal to them.

Finally, the bookish and studious Twilight Sparkle represents the elusive trait of magic in friendship. You can say magic or you can say miracles. One way or the other, it’s the same thing. Since magic (or miracles) are so taken for granted in today’s world, you really need to be looking for it. Magical friendships are those that make you feel safe. Magical friendships draw you in. They are inclusive and wonderful (by which I mean filled with wonder). You find yourself wondering how you ended up with such a great friend or group of friends. True friendships lift you up when you are low, motivate you when you need a push and support you when you need support. That’s the real magic of friendship, but you have to be on the lookout to actually see it.

These six traits are what true friendships are made from. So, am I a My Little Pony fan? Yes, because friendship is magic.

Question time: Have you ever watched My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic? Which of the Mane 6 is your favorite pony? Which trait of friendship do you think you are best at? Which do you think you need more work on? What has been your most magical friendship moment?Talk to me! My inquiring mind wants to know.